Colorado Christian Writers Conference
We wound our way through a quaint town. Elk nibbled the grass, oblivious to the people pressing against the car window for a closer look.
Once I arrived the business of breathing began. This Oklahoma girl can walk for miles at sea level, but suddenly turns 180 when I try to walk 200 feet from one building to the other. I drank tons of water and started to feel less like a fish out of water.
I met up with Proverbs 31 ministries team member and friend, MaryBeth Whalin. She’s been with Proverbs for a very long time and I’m the new kid on the block. Spending four days with her was awesome. She’s a non-snoring girl who’s considerate, loves to talk, but also loves to sleep. She also loves funny movies on YouTube. What a great roommate! (In this pic we are both exhausted. It’s Day 3 and I’ve been pulling long hours teaching and she’s been in an Intensive Fiction clinic.)
There is a sign on the door that says, “Shut the Door for Your Safety. Bears in Area.” I never saw a bear, but the Elk were on my patio when I woke up in the morning.
Robin Bryce and Renae Brumbaugh, two fast friends and all-around cool writers.
This is at the top of the mountain. Do you see the snow-capped mountains in picture one? We went up into the mountains and walked around at the peak. There were snow covered boulders, steep rock ledges, and a postcard view from every angle. It was heaven.
When I speak conferences, most of the time I arrive at an airport, climb into a car, drive to a conference center or building, and then back to the airport. This trip was different. I enjoyed my surroundings. I connected with some great old and new friends.
I came home at peace, totally wrapped up in God’s creative beauty. But also encouraged by my continuing session class. I watched writers grow. They were tired, some overwhelmed, but we had lots of laughter and fun. But most of all they took one step closer to their writing dreams.
And that makes me happy.
Posted by Suzie @
4:19 pm |
oh happy day
I received a rejection yesterday. A big one.
But I’m looking at the Rockies today. Snow capped mountains. Hiking trails that lead you past water tumbling over rocks, herds of elk nibbling shoots of grass.
I’m talking with friends. Good friends I’ve cultivated over 10 years of full-time writing. Friends like Jill Hart who kidnapped me after a long day yesterday and took me to an Italian restaurant for good food and lots of laughter.
I’m watching dreams unfold for new writers, remembering that hopeful place, that place of angst.
I’m reading Oswald Chambers who reminds me of the depths of God’s wealth that has nothing to do with money, and yet everything to do with providing the needs of His own.
All of this brings back an old song, one I think I heard as a teen in a small church in Tulsa.
“Oh happy day. Oh happy day–ay-ay.”
At some point I have to just place all of this stuff — my career, my writing, what I want to do with my life — in His hands. I’ll keep working hard. I’ll continue to learn. I’ll grow.
But if you see me, I’ll be the one walking around feeling deeply content, most likely humming under her breath: oh happy day, oh happy day-ay-ay.
Have a good one.
Posted by Suzie @
9:02 am |
Fate or faith?
When I am in a crowd of Christians, I sometimes hear things that make me uncomfortable.
Maybe me saying that makes you uncomfortable. But I think it’s worth talking about. I’ve heard this saying at least five times in the last 48 hours — God knew.
One person shared how they had made bad financial decisions and the turn in the economy caught them heavily in debt.
“But God knew,” the person said. “He’s in this.”
Really? I don’t think so. I don’t find scripturally where we are puppets waved about in the wind by fate. Sometimes our own decisions and choices land us in bad places.
Is God faithful to us as we try to make those decisions right? Absolutely.
Is faith a source of comfort, strength, and peace? Yes.
But when we land in disaster because of impulse or going with our feelings or we lack wisdom, I don’t think we can point to Him and say, “Hey, you knew this was coming so you must have some plan for all of it.”
I’m so far from perfect and I’ve had to trust God in those times when I needed to grow up. But I think God gets a bad rap sometimes when we are the ones at fault.
I also think it’s confusing to people who don’t know Christ when Christians live a random life and then point to God as the one leading them to the bad place just for kicks.
Fate or faith? I choose faith.
Posted by Suzie @
8:02 am |
My hope
When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, “I used everything you gave me”. Erma Bombeck
Posted by Suzie @
7:48 am |
These arrived at my door today
These arrived on my doorstep today — It was sent to me by Momlogic from Chocolate Covered Company.
I have only one thing to say: yahoooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Posted by Suzie @
7:21 am |
Women’s Bible Study Expo
Have you ever wondered what books you could use in your Bible study? Or in your women’s ministries or small cell group?
I had the most fun yesterday talking with Marnie Swedberg and her audience of women’s ministry leaders. But I was only one of many, including Hearts at Home founder Jill Savage, authors and speakers Jennifer Rothschild, Lysa TerKeurst, Nancy Stafford, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, and many others.
Check out this great site and listen to the interviews, read about the books, and see if any of these women or topics might be great for your group (or you!).
Link: Women’s Bible Study Expo. Oh, and did I mention they are giving away prizes? That just makes it more fun!
Posted by Suzie @
7:03 am |
What’s Your Story?
In the past three days I’ve attended my son-in-law’s pinning ceremony and graduation commencement, ate too much cake, went mechanical bull riding (I watched), played laser tag, went GoKart riding, drove to Springfield, MO from Fayetteville, AR and spent the night with my brother and fam, then drove from there to Branson, MO for a church vision meeting, and I just arrived minutes ago only to realize…
that today my devo “What’s Your Story?” was on Encouragement for Today!
Let me take and breath and ask “So, what’s your story?”
I leave tomorrow to teach at a conference in Estes Park, CO. I’ll be there for four days and I can guarantee you I’ll hear someone say, “I’m not sure I have anything to write about.”
Really. You see, I don’t believe that.
Because everyone has a story. A life basket of sorts that you can pull from. Mine has dysfunction, cancer survival, overcoming odds to live fully. But it also has laugh out loud moments with family, tender moments, unexpected small moments with friends or strangers.
Stories are all around you. You live out a story every day.
What’s your story?
What have you learned through adversity that can encourage someone in the same situation you once went through? What stories do you have that may not be “super spiritual” but that make a person laugh (which makes us live longer)? Was there a time that God became real to you?
Well, Suzie, my story is painful.
There’s timing involved in sharing your story. When I was 20, I wasn’t ready. I would have shared my story out of a perspective of pain. Today that story is wrapped around healing, hope, joy, peace.
But write it down anyway. Keep a journal. Write in the margins of your Bible. Write down the tough stuff, the good stuff, the “I can’t see it now, but I’m trusting stuff”.
You see, hindsight is 20/20. I can look back and clearly see God’s love and direction gently holding me, leading me, and even teaching me.
So, what’s your story?
Next Monday I’ll return and pick one lucky winner and send any one of my books to the winner! Leave a brief comment sharing one brief anecdote (story) from your life basket.
Posted by Suzie @
2:17 pm |
Another busy weekend
I’m packing and cleaning and writing and juggling!
My SIL graduates this weekend with his Masters in Social Work Counseling at the University of Arkansas. He starts a new job in June working at an organization that counsels at-risk youth with mental health needs. He’s great at it and loves it. He can’t talk about individual cases, of course, but when he talks about his job it’s evident it’s a good fit for both him and the youth.
(Pic is of Josh and my daughter, Melissa!)
From there I’ll make a break for Branson U.S.A. It’s a beautiful area and I’ll take a day to meet with our pastor and others to pray and talk about the vision for the church and community for the next several months.
I’ll be honest. This is packed right in the heart of several other projects/events and I wasn’t sure if I should add it to the calendar. But as it approaches I’m asking God to help me be an encouragement and support to my home church staff, people and pastor. They work so hard and have such a heart for ministry. I’m excited to be a part of a church that really cares about its people and community.
After that I’ll dash home in time to visit with some great women on a call-in conference call. Women ministry leaders from all over the nation will tune in and we’ll talk about Pushing Past Your Past conference weekends and topics like forgiveness, wholeness, parenting, pursuing your passion and more.
And then I’ll take off on Wednesday for Estes Park to teach at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference.
I’ve been working out again (took 9 weeks off after I broke a bone) so I can be up to the high altitude. You know they don’t have much of that here in Oklahoma, so the first day I drink tons of water and take it easy and my body adjusts. Eventually!
I can walk miles here, but there I walk like a 90+ year-old girl in traction. After the first day I start turning into my own age again!
I’ll post pics from the graduation and also share highlights from CCWC next week.
See you on Monday!
Posted by Suzie @
7:30 am |
Not the light
I was reading the book of John this morning and read this scripture. I’ll share it paraphrased:
John came to tell about the light. He was not the light, but a witness to the light.
When I speak or I write about the light it is not to lift me up or to point out who I am, but who He is. It’s not the Suzie show. Thank goodness for that. I’d run out of material really quick, but I could talk forever about what the Light has done in my life, and what God continues to be forever.
Posted by Suzie @
7:55 am |
Kim - an update
I shared with you the story of my niece, Kim, who was hit by a monster-sized dune buggy three weeks ago. She goes into surgery today.
Kim is slowly improving. Her wit and faith are strong. She and I talk a few times a week. She’s been in physical therapy and she celebrates things like standing with a walker and moving her toes.
The nine or so breaks (back, hip, sternum, tailbone) are trying to heal, but the knee is a huge obstacle. The surgery is to repair all the tendons and ligaments and to take the pressure off of a major artery.
It’s a delicate surgery and one I’m inviting you to pray with. I told Kim I was asking many to pray. Her response? “Cool!”
She might be in surgery even as you read this. Thank you for asking for God’s hand over the surgery, for protection, for wisdom on the surgeons’ part, and for peace for Brandon (her young husband) and her extended family.
Love you guys. I’m so thankful I can ask for prayer and know that you are joining me in praying for Kim. (pic is of us when I broke my collarbone and she had just had surgery on her knee - same one they are operating on today)
Posted by Suzie @
7:12 am |
